Driekops Eiland, Archaeological site near Plooysburg, South Africa.
Driekops Eiland is an archaeological site with more than 3500 geometric engravings etched into glaciated rock in a riverbed. The rocks sit along the Riet River and become partially submerged when water levels rise.
The first engravings were made about 2500 years ago, with a second phase occurring roughly 1000 years later. Both periods show the site served as a place for artistic expression over a long span of time.
The engravings came from Khoekhoe herders and show a different artistic tradition than the San hunter-gatherer motifs found nearby. These differences appear in the patterns and symbols visible on the rocks.
The site is difficult to reach during high water periods, as parts of the riverbed become flooded. Visitors should check water levels and season conditions before visiting to ensure safe access.
A weir built in 1942 permanently altered the river's flooding patterns. This change caused many additional engravings downstream to become permanently submerged while encouraging vegetation growth over some of the older stones.
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